Chapter Twenty Six

The next morning, I wake up early and try to make sense of everything that has happened over the past few days. My mind keeps returning to the revelation about my biological parents. Sally McLaughlin, a porn star, and possibly Slash, the legendary guitarist, are my parents. It's like something out of a movie, but it's my reality.

I sit up in Eli's bed, watching him sleep peacefully. The events of last night replay in my mind, and I can't help but feel a mixture of relief and confusion. I know we still have a long way to go to rebuild the trust we lost, but his support means everything to me.

Quietly, I slip out of bed, not wanting to wake him. I need some time to think, and a walk might clear my head. I scribble a quick note for Eli, letting him know where I've gone, and tiptoe out of the house.

As I walk through the quiet streets of Neptune, I think about what Veronica told me about our mom. Signing her into rehab is a risky move, especially using her college fund. I know she did it out of love, but it's hard to shake off the anger I feel. Mom has hurt us so many times before; why should this time be any different?

I head toward the beach, hoping the sound of the waves will soothe my racing thoughts. The sun is just beginning to rise, casting a warm glow over the water. I find a spot on the sand and sit down, hugging my knees to my chest.

"Hey, Tori."

I turn to see Veronica walking toward me, a coffee cup in each hand. "I figured you might need this," she says, handing me one.

"Thanks," I say, taking a sip. "How did you find me?"

She sits down next to me, looking out at the ocean. "I know you, sis. This is where you always come when you need to think."

We sit in silence for a few minutes, just watching the waves. Finally, Veronica speaks. "I'm sorry for springing all that on you yesterday. I should've been more sensitive."

I shake my head. "No, it's okay. I asked you to find them, and you did. It's just...a lot to process."

"I get that," she says softly. "Finding out your mom is a porn star and your dad might be a rock legend isn't exactly what you were expecting."

"Yeah," I agree, letting out a shaky laugh. "Understatement of the century."

Veronica wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Let's just take it one step at a time. It doesn't have to happen all at once."

Her words bring me a measure of comfort. "Thanks, Ronnie. I needed to hear that."

We sit together for a while longer, talking about everything and nothing. Eventually, we head back home, ready to face whatever comes next.

Later that day, I find myself standing outside the door of the recording studio at Capitol Records. It's intimidating to think that this is where some of the biggest names in music have recorded their hits. I take a deep breath and step inside, ready to face the next chapter of my life.

The studio is a whirlwind of activity. Technicians are setting up equipment, and a few musicians are tuning their instruments. I spot Mr. Barnett talking to a group of people in the corner and make my way over to him.

"Victoria, glad you could make it," he says, smiling warmly. "I want you to meet your co producer, Tom."

Tom is a middle-aged man with a kind face and a calm demeanor. He shakes my hand firmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Victoria. I've heard great things about you."

"Thank you," I say, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the attention.

"Let's get you settled in," Tom says, leading me to the vocal booth. "We'll start with 'Hollow' and see how it goes."

I nod, taking another deep breath as I step into the booth. The headphones feel heavy on my ears, and the microphone looms in front of me. I close my eyes, trying to focus on the lyrics and the emotions behind them.

When the music starts, I lose myself in the melody. Singing has always been my escape, and today is no different. As I pour my heart into the song, I can feel the weight of my worries lifting, if only for a moment.

After the first take, Tom gives me some pointers, and we go again. By the third take, I can see him nodding in approval through the glass. When the song ends, he presses the intercom button. "That was fantastic, Victoria. Let's take a break and then we'll move on to the next track."

I step out of the booth, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. Mr. Barnett approaches, a pleased look on his face. "You've got real talent, Victoria. I think you're going to go far."

"Thank you," I say, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

As I sit down to take a break, I pull out my phone and see a text from Eli.

Eli: How's it going, querida?

Me: Just finished the first track. It's intense, but good. I miss you.

Eli: Miss you too. Remember, you got this.

His words give me a boost of confidence. I know this journey won't be easy, but with the support of my family and Eli, I feel ready to take on the world.

The recording studio has become my second home. I've been working tirelessly on my debut album, putting every ounce of emotion and experience into each track. Tom, my producer, has been a guiding force, pushing me to explore my range and refine my sound. It's exhausting, but in the best way possible.

One evening, after a particularly grueling session, I find myself at another networking event. This time, it's a charity gala hosted by one of the bigwigs in the industry. The room is filled with celebrities, executives, and influencers, all dressed to the nines. I've been to so many of these events lately that they're starting to blend together, but I know how important they are for my career.

I scan the room, looking for familiar faces. It's a sea of glamorous people, each trying to outshine the other. I spot a few musicians I recognize, but what catches my eye is the unmistakable figure of Slash, standing in a group of people and chatting animatedly.

My heart skips a beat. We've crossed paths a few times since I started working on my album, and every encounter has been surreal. He remembered me from the guitar shop, but I've never dared to bring up the fact that he might be my father. It's too risky, too personal, and I'm not sure how he'd react.

I take a deep breath and remind myself why I'm here. Networking. Building relationships. Making a name for myself. I grab a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and make my way toward a group of people near Slash, hoping to blend in and maybe catch his attention.

As I approach, I overhear snippets of conversation. They're talking about upcoming tours, new projects, and the usual industry gossip. I smile and introduce myself, trying to sound confident and composed.

"Hi, I'm Victoria Mars. I'm working on my debut album with Capitol Records."

One of the women in the group, a striking redhead with an air of authority, turns to me and smiles warmly. "Victoria, I've heard about you. I'm Jennifer, a talent manager. How's the album coming along?"

"It's going great, thanks," I reply, feeling a bit more at ease. "It's been a lot of hard work, but I'm really excited about it."

As we chat, I can't help but steal glances at Slash. He's engrossed in conversation with another musician, but I notice him looking my way a few times. My mind races with possibilities, but I push them aside, focusing on the present.

Jennifer is giving me some valuable advice about navigating the industry when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Slash standing there, his trademark hat and sunglasses making him look every bit the rock legend.

"Victoria, right?" he says, his voice deep and familiar.

I nod, trying to keep my cool. "Yeah, that's me. It's nice to see you again."

"Mind if I steal her for a moment?" he asks Jennifer, who waves us off with a knowing smile.

We step aside, finding a quieter corner of the room. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, the weight of our unspoken connection hanging between us.

"I've been hearing a lot about you since the last time we saw each other. " Slash says, leaning against the wall. "Capitol's really pushing you hard."

I smile, feeling a mix of pride and nerves. "Yeah, it's been a wild ride so far. I'm just trying to keep up."

He chuckles, a sound that's both comforting and intimidating. "I remember those days. It's tough, but worth it. You've got talent, Victoria. I could hear it back in that guitar shop. It's why I invited you to open mic."

"Thank you," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "That means a lot coming from you."

He looks at me for a long moment, and I wonder if he sees it too—the resemblance, the connection. But before I can dwell on it, he changes the subject.

"So, how are you handling all the networking? These events can be a bit overwhelming."

I laugh, the tension easing slightly. "It's definitely a lot to take in. I'm still getting used to it. But it's amazing to meet so many incredible people."

He nods, his expression thoughtful. "If you ever need advice or just want to talk, feel free to reach out. I've been through it all, and I'm happy to help."

I'm stunned by his offer, unsure how to respond. "Thank you, Slash. I really appreciate that."

We chat for a few more minutes, and I feel a strange sense of comfort talking to him. Despite the chaos of the event, this moment feels grounding, like a glimpse of clarity in the whirlwind of my life.

As the evening winds down, I leave the gala with a renewed sense of purpose. There's so much I want to achieve, and knowing that I have the support of someone like Slash gives me an extra boost of confidence.

The next few weeks are a blur of recording sessions and more events. My schedule is packed, and I barely have time to catch my breath. But I thrive on the busyness, channeling all my energy into my music.

One afternoon, I'm in the studio working on a particularly challenging track when my phone buzzes with a text from Veronica.

Veronica: Hey, can you meet up later? I've got something important to discuss.

Me: Sure. Studio till 5. After that?

Veronica: Perfect. See you then.

I spend the rest of the session wondering what she wants to talk about. Veronica always has something up her sleeve, and I'm curious to see what it is this time.

After wrapping up at the studio, I head to our usual spot, a cozy coffee shop near the beach. Veronica is already there, a cup of coffee in front of her and a serious look on her face.

"Hey, V. What's up?" I ask, sliding into the seat across from her.

She takes a deep breath, looking like she's trying to find the right words. "I've been doing some digging, and I think I found out something about your dad."

My heart skips a beat. "You mean Slash?"

She nods. "Yeah. I found some old records, and it looks like he had a relationship with your mom around the time you were born. But there's more."

I lean in, my pulse quickening. "What is it?"

"I found a letter," she says, pulling an envelope from her bag. "It's from your mom to Slash. She never sent it, but it's pretty revealing."

I take the letter with trembling hands, unfolding it carefully. The handwriting is messy, like it was written in a hurry.

Dear Slash,

I don't know how to say this, so I'll just say it. I'm pregnant. And I'm scared. I know we said we'd keep things casual, but this changes everything. I can't do this on my own, but I don't want to trap you either.

I'm leaving for a while to figure things out. Please don't try to find me. I'll contact you when I'm ready.

Sally

Tears blur my vision as I read the letter. It's a piece of my past that I never expected to find, a glimpse into the turmoil my mom must have felt.

Veronica reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. "I know it's a lot to take in. But I thought you should see it."

"Thank you, Veronica," I whisper, my voice breaking. "This means more to me than you know."

She nods, her expression softening. "You're welcome, Tori. I'm here for you."

We sit in silence for a few moments, the weight of the letter settling over us. It's a lot to process, but it's also a step toward understanding where I come from. Even though I'm not ready to confront Slash with this information, I know that I'm getting closer to finding the answers I need.

The journey continues, but with every revelation, I feel a little stronger, a little more sure of who I am and where I'm headed. With my music, my friends, and my family by my side, I know I can face whatever comes next.

And as for Slash, the time will come when I'm ready to talk to him. But for now, I'll focus on my music and let the rest unfold as it will.